Allergies

Sublingual Immunotherapy May Hold Promise In The United States

A long-term option for treating allergies is immunotherapy or allergy shots. This treatment involves injecting a small amount of allergen over a period of time until the allergy symptoms decrease. However, a form of immunotherapy known as Sublingual therapy, which is used in Europe has not been approved by the FDA in the United States.Â An article published in the Otolayngology – Head and Neck Surgery shows that sublingual immunotherapy may hold promise in the United States.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) involves placing tables or drops under the tongue. The medicine contains minute quantities of allergens, which when ingested over a period of time can help in overcoming allergies.

The authors of the article noted that allergic symptoms can contribute to poor quality of life, high costs, and health problems. However, it is observed that allergies are undertreated as patients are dissatisfied with the traditional form of allergy treatment. In this regard, SLIT treatment can overcome this problem and treat allergies. They authors of the article also submitted the literature which proved its efficacy.

In response to the article, AAO-HNSF Board of Directors member John H. Krouse, MD, PhD, responded to the article with the following – though SLIT may be promising, several issues have to be addressed. The five issues with regard to SLIT are : selection of patient; sensitization process; dosage; preparation; delivery; safety.

If the above issues are addressed, SLIT treatment may treat unreachable sections of United States population. Even though SLIT treatment looks promising, it might take some time till this treatment makes entry into the United States.